Work stalls again at Palace Hotel in Ukiah

Work to clean out the Palace Hotel in downtown Ukiah has stalled again as the consultant hired to inspect the building for asbestos and lead resigned last month.

"We were led to believe an official was in place, but that seems to have blown up," said Mayor Doug Crane at the Ukiah City Council meeting Wednesday, asking Eladia Laines, whom he called the building's presumed owner, to elaborate.

In August, Laines announced that she had hired the certified consultant, a step that was required by the Mendocino County Air Quality Management District before it would give permission for any debris removal.

However, Laines told the council that the "asbestos consultant we had retained resigned on Dec. 22," explaining that "there was some miscommunication with his bill; apparently he sent a bill via e-mail that no one had seen.

"I'm not sure why he got as upset as he did," Laines continued. "I was surprised at the amount, (because) the bill was 30 percent more than his estimate was."

When Council member Mary Anne Landis asked if the consultant's bill had been paid, Laines said she had the check for him but had not given it to him yet because she needed a "conditional release."

"I understand (the consultant) sent out a lot of e-mails to local agencies because he was mad," she said. "It was unfortunate. I don't know what else to say."

When asked if she could show proof of a clear title, Laines said she had restored Unique Properties, the new name of the corporation that includes the hotel in its assets, to "good standing" and hoped to be able to print out evidence to that effect for the meeting, but could not.

The Ukiah City Council has received a monthly report from Laines since April of last year, when it first considered a resolution that would allow the city's Public Works Department to take over abatement of the rotted building, which has been unused for decades.

The council has delayed voting on the resolution, agreeing to allow Laines to demonstrate progress while repeatedly asking for proof that she owns the building and waiting for the city's building official to issue her a permit to allow major work to occur inside the structure.

"I feel like we're ready to see a clear title and we're ready to see the Air Quality clearance so the debris can get removed," said Landis. "I'm a little disappointed that we've been at the place we've had for so long. I'm ready to see some movement."

"Be assured that I have done everything I can every inch of the way," Laines said. "I've traveled to the state of Nevada to take care of this. I'm disappointed, too, but don't think I'm delaying the process. I can only go as fast as bureaucracy works."

The council then voted to delay considering the resolution that would allow for possible demolition of the building and will receive another update next month.

Justine Frederiksen can be reached at udjjf@pacific.net, on Twitter @JustFrederiksen or at 468-3521.